Japanese Reporter Honored on 5th Anniversary of Thailand's Deadly Crackdown
By Khaosod English


Osamu Isawa, charge d'affairs of the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok, lay flowers on the spot where Hiroyuki Muramoto was shot dead in 2010, 10 April 2015.

BANGKOK — The Japanese Embassy commemorated the death of the Japanese journalist who was killed five years ago today during the military crackdown on Redshirt protesters in Bangkok.

Osamu Isawa, charge d'affairs of the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok, lay flowers on the spot where Hiroyuki Muramoto was shot dead while filming clashes between soldiers and Redshirt protesters on the night of 10 April 2010.

Hiroyuki, who was working for Reuters at the time of his death, was one of at least 20 civilians who died in the violence. Five soldiers were also killed, including Col. Romklao Thuwatham, the commander of the military operation. In total, more than 90 people died in the crackdown, which lasted until 19 May 2010.

Osamu said he commemorated Hiroyuki's death on behalf of the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, and added that the Japanese government is still waiting for the result of the investigation into the reporter's death.

The court inquest tasked with determining who shot Hiroyuki is due on 30 April.

Around 20 plain-clothed security officers observed today's brief commemoration from a distance.

The 2010 crackdown was ordered by then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on 10 April in an effort to disperse tens of thousands of Redshirts who were rallying in Bangkok to demand a new election. As dusk set in, clashes between security officers and shadowy "Blackshirt" militants who were allied to the demonstrators broke out on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok, killing 25 people.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1428650755


-- Khaosod English 2015-04-10

Subtle. Very subtle but palpable.